Thousands of Scots who fell victim to the infected blood scandal will receive £100,000 by the end of the month, it has been announced.
Patients who were infected with Hepatitis C or HIV in the 1970s and 80s - or if they have died, then their partners - will get the interim compensation payment next week, the UK Government has announced. Maree Todd, Scotland's public health minister, welcomed the Cabinet Office announcement which came after a report published in July by infected blood inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff said the payments should be made "without delay".
The Holyrood minister said: "We recognise how important the issue of interim payments has been for Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme (SIBSS) members, and those in the other UK support schemes, who have suffered for so long. The interim compensation payments will build on the support already provided by SIBSS to many of those affected by this tragedy."
